Cheefer_EX

I am very new here. Actually, this is the first forum I've ever joined. Basically I "got into" Hondas by accident. Sooooo here are my questions:

First, I've got a 99 Civic EX chassis with 98 ex auto-tranny.

Without much research I bought an overhauled engine on eBay after the "rebuilt" previous engine blew a head gasket due to extensive coolant erosion.

It's a D16z6 head, y8 short block y8 intake/TB/IVAC/VTEC. I swapped the dizzy over from my y8 to fit the z6 head and to avoid buying a $40 harness to convert from OBD2B to OBD1. (BTW, the ECU is original to car (P2P).)

I completed the swap, charged the battery, and checked for spark (its good) and checked fuel delivery (it's flowing good). The car turns over but has not cranked. Am I missing something? Is it imperative that the head matches the ECU? When I bought this I understood it was plug and play. Any help for the noob is much appreciated. Thanks!

HondaPartsHero

Check camshaft timing and post a pic of the cam pulley

CJM66

I have the same problem sorry no help haha

Cheefer_EX

Here is a pic of the camshaft pulley. Top right is the screw driver checking for TDC. It didn't quite seem like it was TDC with the cam pulley "up" as marked by the green sharpie mark. Is that what you meant by checking cam timing?

HondaPartsHero

Do you know what crank pulley you're using?

Cheefer_EX

At this point all I can do is speculate. (unless there is a way to tell P/N?) When I bought the engine the guy said the belt and camshaft were for the z6. He also said it was rebuilt.

HondaPartsHero

Ok I'm just trying to figure out because if you have spark and fuel then it's possible your mechanical timing is off.

Cheefer_EX

I was reading somewhere about a half-a-tooth difference or 4.5 degrees. The cam pulley looks similar to othe z6 pics online. Is it time to rent a timing light?

Cheefer_EX

Stupid me, just realized I was using the plugs and wires for a 99 civic on my 95 ex head. Curious though, would it keep the engine from at least cranking?

Checkmarks

You missed the ultimate number one check. Pull a compression gauge out and check. No spark, no fuel, no compression and your motor cannot start.

Cheefer_EX

I'm actually headed to Autozone to borrow their gauge now. How do you test compression if the engine isn't running? I'm also going to pick up the right plugs and wires for a z6.

Upon further inspection of the camshaft and gear I noticed this 'clip' on the spark plug wall thingy sticking up. (Top of the picture). the cam gear has the following numbers etched into it. (PM3B and 293)

Cheefer_EX

Finally got around to a compression test.

Cyl. 1 =100psi
Cyl. 2 = 80psi
Cyl. 3 = 80psi
Cyl. 4 = 90psi

ozh_hawaiian

those numbers seem really really low! I just did mine a few weeks ago, and I was getting average 190psi across the board...
also from what I know, you should get an adjustable cam gear because the mechanical timing is a little different between a z6, and y8...

Checkmarks

Looks like you found the problem. Your car likely has a warped head or bent valves. This is exactly why the car will not start. 10% is the rule between cylinders being acceptable.

1. Pull the head and have it machined. $45
2. If the block looks like the surface is 'shadowed' have it cut also. $75
3. Pull the exhaust valves (most likely to be bent), check for straight/good seating. If needed new ones $80
4. New head gasket $36.99 from Autozone (its a felpro)

It is probably better to get the block cut also since it is aluminum but then only if you want another 100k.

Cheefer_EX

Well I finally got the car running. I swapped fuel injectors and it fired right up. Currently I'm waiting for a new PCV hose and intake mani gasket to come in. I was getting a high idle (4000 rpm) and it kept rising so I took off the intake and saw the gasket was toast. I'll post any new developments for those that may be interested or for future help to others.